HOUSTON (FOX 26) - The Houston Astros will announce on Thursday they have signed manager A.J. Hinch to a contract extension, according to Major League Baseball sources.

Hinch’s contract called for a team option in 2019.

The extension means he will be with the franchise well beyond that.

Hinch led the Astros to their first World Series title last season.

In his first year with the club, 2015, he led the Astros to a win in the Wildcard game over the Yankees in New York.

“A players manager, a players’ guy” said pitcher Charlie Morton. “He lets us police our clubhouse. He lets us do our own thing.

“There’s a lot of trust. I think he has a lot of trust in us. I think the roles that he’s filled in his career have been really helpful and allowed him to have a really good feel for what’s going on from top to bottom."

Catcher Brian McCann has similar thoughts.

“He’s a great manager,” McCann said. “Very impressed with how he handles everybody different. He knows personalities. He’s ultra-prepared.